Chilean Highways

[gronier]

Chile has nowadays more than 3000 kilometres of private owned highways, all of them built or rebuilt in the last 10 years, so as you can imagine, the Chilean highway network is quite impressive for the quality of its roads.

Here are some pictures

http://www.fotonet.cl/kactusfoto/watermark/KA03845.jpg

http://sp8.fotologs.net/photo/40/45/4/autopistas/1147490806_f.jpg

http://sp6.fotologs.net/?u=autopistas&i=2005/08/02/1123035977.jpg&c=f

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/1957/auto138ej.jpg

http://sp8.fotologs.net/photo/40/45/4/autopistas/1142966957_f.jpg

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/2592/autitataviiireg8ak.jpg

http://www.kactusfoto.cl/photos/popup/KA02594.jpg

http://www.autopistacentral.cl/images/obras/aereas/grandes_nov05/sta_maria_balmaceda02.jpg

http://www.fotonet.cl/kactusfoto/watermark/KA03147.jpg

http://img326.imageshack.us/img326/8527/1128213559f9wz.jpg

http://www.chilephoto.cl/chilephoto_files/galeria/Hernan_Contreras/15593.jpg

http://spd.fotologs.net/?u=autopistas&i=2005/08/01/1122924526.jpg&c=f

http://www.dgop.cl/galeria/images/obras%20mop/FOTOS%20MOP%202005/13%20Region/vespucio%20norte%202.jpg

http://www.autopistadelaconcagua.cl/fotosaconcagua/enlacepichicuy.jpg

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/5207/auto280lx.jpg

http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/8804/oso145vi.jpg

http://sp7.fotologs.net/?u=autopistas&i=2005/06/12/1118615774.jpg&c=f

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/4812/torregcopiarb5.jpg

http://sp8.fotologs.net/photo/40/45/4/autopistas/1132712450_f.jpg

http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/7066/imagen0769kw.jpg

http://sp8.fotologs.net/photo/40/45/4/autopistas/1154226822_f.jpg

[ChrisZwolle]

I heard these are among the best of South America. Signage is also very good for South American standards, looks like the Spanish signage, but less messy, and that's a good thing.

[Razr.]

Amazing pictures of our Highway sistem ...one of the most modern in Latinamerica.

Thanx

[Alex Von Königsberg]

Wow! Looks very European :)

[pilotos]

Nice roads indeed, but what do you exactly mean with "private owned highways", they got build by private funds and will be always private owned, or will they get under state control after 10 or more years?

[gronier]

No, they've got a contract with the Chilean state to run them for 20-30 years.

[Verso]

Beautiful stuff! :cheers:

[edolen1]

Looking good!

[pilotos]

Now, they've got a contract with the Chilean state to run them for 20-30 years.

Ok thank you, i thought so, something like that is happening here in greece too with some roads, not all though.

[gronier]

Wow! Looks very European :)

Yes, indeed. Chile has put as a high priority the fact that higways should have a minimum impact on enviroment and for urban landscape, with strict regulations. For example, in Santiago there is a highway that runs through downtown as a tunnel under the Mapocho River for 7 kilometres, and a 10 kilometres underground highway in eastern Santiago will be adjudged this year, and there is a plan to cover up with a park a three lane each way highway that runs through the city in North-South direction.

[gronier]

A map showing the highways around Santiago metropolian area, the reds that I drew are the ones under construction and the green are the ones proposed.

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/5413/79131142dx6.jpg

[Vrysxy]

WOw, Chilce has nice highways.

[gronier]

Construction of a new access highway to Santiago

http://www.fotografiaaerea.cl/imagenes/maipogrande.jpg

[daloso]

Which one it's the highway called "La Costanera"?

[gronier]

This is Costanera Norte Highway, that runs in an east-west direction through Santiago. Seven kilometres of the highway (the part that crosses through central Santiago), are built as a tunnel under the Mapocho River.

Here is a picture of a skylight of the westbound part of the highway

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/4923/pv0032un.jpg

[Verso]

^^ Wow, this looks awesome!!

[Maply]

Wonderfull Highways, now the Highway Network it's increce to the North Side of the country!, very good work.

[Kiryl]

i'm pretty surprised Chile has such a very impresive highways.And Very good web of roads

[10ROT]

Nice! Very European.

[radi6404]

These motorways look fucking awesome, if i would drive on them I would feel like Jesus where am i exactly like on the struma motorway. the colors of the markings and of the signs are very clear and shiny, they look awesome.

[krudmonk]

They look very pleasant on which to drive. Clean and clear.

[Mateus_]

very impressive network!

[CborG]

Really nice roads yes, but on most pictures the highways don't have hard shoulders. Especially on busy urban motorways they contribute heavily to safety.

This could be easily in the Netherlands, landscapewise!
http://www.fotosaereas.cl/imgs/V/16.jpg

[Edo15]

nice pics

[lk3gno]

^^ This it is: "Troncal Sur", (Troncal south) located in the region of Valparaiso, it measures approximately twenty kilometers and it unites the city of Viña del Mar, Quilpue and Villa Alemana.

Bye!

[DRQ_QF]

autopista central, the panamerican route passing through santiago :banana:
http://www.plataformaurbana.cl/copp/albums/userpics/10006/normal_autopista.jpg

viva chile y sus autopistas

[Edo15]

Our highways are so cool

[ssiguy2]

Very nice highways, I wish Canada's were in such good repair and as unclottered and free flowing as those are.

[Brisbaner21]

Wow, amazing infrastructure. Chile is one stunning country. Santiago is great, and the scenery throughout the country is fantastic. If I had to move to South America, Chile would be my number one destination.

[EL_AMERICANO]

WHOH! these highways are AMAZING, very clean, beautiful, sad they are more modern then most u.s highways :(

[Krzyżak]

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/5017/530003135e891b4be9fomc7.jpg

lack of fences?

[ChrisZwolle]

I don´t see any lack of fences.

[Pavlov's Dog]

A couple of questions:

When did Avenida Kennedy become a toll road?

Looking at the maps at turistel.cl I see a couple of obvious corridors for expansion. SE from Concepcion to Los Angeles and between the Panamericana and Valdivia. Also there is no motorway from Algarobo to Valparaiso/Viña. Any plans for these routes.

What is the speed limit on these roads? What speed do people drive?

Are trucks using these toll-roads. What are the tolls like?

What is happening with other road projects? Are secondary roads being upgraded as well?

[Edo15]

I love the Costanera Norte highway

[Pavlov's Dog]

Thanks ILCS. I haven't been to Chile in ten years. I imagine thinks have changed considerably. I look forward to my next visit. Beautiful country!

[Edo15]

More pictures

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/Autopista-Central-2.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4d/Enlace_VNE%2C_de_Autopista_Central.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/Imagenes_funkinmixer_set_1_109.jpg

http://www.sbs.utexas.edu/simpsonlab/Chile/Images/Lima_Chile_046.jpg

http://spb.fotologs.net/photo/43/12/30/infraestructura/1136827171_f.jpg

http://sp8.fotologs.net/photo/40/45/4/autopistas/1137119524_f.jpg

http://www.periodismo.uchile.cl/contintanegra/2005/2/imagenes2/autopista%20central%20fuente%20www.portaldelpluralismo.comjpg.jpg

http://www.kapsch.com.ar/webesp/imag/s_projects_CostaneraNorte.jpg

http://www.fayerwayer.com/archivo/2005/04/costanera_bajorio.jpg

http://www.fayerwayer.com/archivo/2005/04/costanera-norte_emol.jpg

http://www.securiton.eu/cms/upload/bilder/Referenzen/CostaNeraTunnelChile/CostaNeraNorte_kl.jpg

:)

[ChrisZwolle]

the government of northern Chile's Atacama region, also known as region III, has approved the expansion of the Ruta 5 highway along the Vallenar-La Serena stretch. The $269 million project involves expanding into four lanes the current two-lane highway. The Atacama government will pay $133 million for the works along a 101km stretch, while the government of the Coquimbo region, also known as region IV, will cover the rest. Chile's public works ministry (MOP) will cover 70% of the project financing, while the remaining 30% will come from Atacama.

Very good. Chile has the most modern Autopista's in Latin America.

[ChrisZwolle]

Environmental aspects under spotlight - Chile

The Chilean authorities are now evaluating the environmental aspects of highway projects for Region III worth a total of US$306 million. One of the projects is for the upgrade of a stretch connecting Copiapó to Vallenar along the Ruta 5 Norte highway and will require a US$143 million investment, according to Business News Americas. A second calls for upgrade to highway Ruta 5 Norte around the Vallenar town area, including improvements to the highway and building a bridge over the Huasco river, with a projected cost of $12 million. The third consists of improving highway Ruta 5 Norte around the Domeyko-Vallenar area and includes widening, new access and exit roads, and safety measures and is expected to require a $73 million investment. The last project is to upgrade the Copiapó to Caldera stretch on highway Ruta 5 Norte and includes widening the highway, building a new access road to the local airport and another to Caldera and will require an estimated $78 million.

Some more info on the CH-5 extension :)

[Xpressway]

When did Avenida Kennedy become a toll road?

Sorry i have no exact info about this, but i believe it's since 2 years ago? any chilean forumer please correct me :)

Also there is no motorway from Algarobo to Valparaiso/Viña. Any plans for these routes.

No, the current road is doing just fine.

What is the speed limit on these roads? What speed do people drive?

80 km/h for urban expressways, 120 km/h for highways

When there's no traffic, in urban expressways, average people drives MUCH faster, i'd say 120km/h or more.

in highways people usually drives at 120 km/h because of police speed controls.

Are trucks using these toll-roads. What are the tolls like?
´
Trucks do use these toll-roads, tolls are free-flow inside Santiago: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Flow, and for inter-city highways there's normal tolls.


What is happening with other road projects? Are secondary roads being upgraded as well?

Yes, there is massive investment for secondary roads too.

[chilean_sky]

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/9696/hotelmarriotthc3.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/47/110958024_2199a877f4.jpg?v=0

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http://farm1.static.flickr.com/191/489381948_04ba1b4365.jpg?v=1178598924

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http://farm1.static.flickr.com/123/375430286_e1ae64d945.jpg?v=0

[chilean_sky]

Free-flow or Toll-free system

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/55/132865730_a8602382c5.jpg?v=0

[chilean_sky]

Costanera Norte

g8gop-zzBlE

qc_DAcgJZ9U&NR=1

Q0IJbwk52Y0

[stgob89]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2324/2338013032_85a8e188ca_b.jpg

[Alex Von Königsberg]

Can someone explain why South American countries have European looking road marking/signage unlike North America? Any historical factors?

[ChrisZwolle]

Maybe it has something to do with the Vienna Conventions on road traffic & road signs. I'm not sure which countries agreed to that convention, and which didn't.

[DanielFigFoz]

Maybe it has something to do with the Vienna Conventions on road traffic & road signs. I'm not sure which countries agreed to that convention, and which didn't.

Great highways! I know that China didn't sign for it. But the convention allowed both N.American and European types of markings/roadsigns. I don't know why L.America (excuding Mexico, Brazil and ?Argentina?) has Euro markings and N.A signs, possibly for diplomatic reasons.

[gugasounds]

very nice roads!!

[jcarloschile]

Some more pics

http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/3388/29499999856ebf18697cbnh0.jpg

http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/4/entradalapiramidezm0.jpg

[Marsupilami]

more pics:

Costanera Norte
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/199/502636515_3f22951f4e_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3031/2294048397_0dc97c44a4_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/55689517_dd7132a367_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/46/172901680_14a0b471ac_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2081/2083777577_3ba7352870_o.jpg

Autopista Central
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1235/765583301_056c063fb8_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2328/1564131269_c34dfc1965_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3152/2772449519_15a0589274_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/202/520162772_12734c7b1c_o.jpg

Ruta 68 (Santiago-Valparaiso)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3017/2548813631_d9a31c93c5_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2073/2280544708_bb61b1b305_o.jpg

Autopista del Itata
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3274/2863921977_17133fd14f_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/2519635871_e21772cbeb_o.jpg

Viaducto Las Lúcumas
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2189/1761619991_b50f2f23f9_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2272/1761614527_4a00c9647d_o.jpg

Panamericana Sur
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2417/2681697570_2149496895_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/2565978699_1a0120b1a8_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/2566803728_7706a2a180_b.jpg

Autopista del Sol
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/2693225423_de77b6b70c_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/139/333941973_8050171fa4_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2221/2149879659_04aef036e3_o.jpg

By Pass Rancagua
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1237/1440313476_57161131ee_b.jpg

Panamericana Norte
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2174/2357962026_d8ce519850_b.jpg

[RipleyLV]

Fantastic! :cheers:

[Comfortably Numb]

Chile has world class highways.